Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko was on Monday arrested under sedition charges and was sent to jail for 15 days on judicial custody.

The case in question was filed against Vaiko by the Chennai police during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regime in 2009.

Vaiko, who appeared before the Egmore court today, offered to surrender himself, sources said.

Following this, the judge ordered 15 days judicial custody for him. As Vaiko refused to apply for bail, he was arrested and sent to the Puzhal central prison. His passport has also been seized. The case was filed against him for his 'inflammatory speech' in support of LTTE.

Only last year, Vaiko was acquitted from a sedition case slapped against him by the Tamil Nadu government for his speech in 2008.

The ‘Q' branch of the state police filed a charge sheet against Vaiko for his speech at the Raja Annamalai Mandram here on October 21, 2008. The topic was 'Eezhathil Nadapathenna' (What is happening in Eelam?).

The case was registered under 13 (1) b of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2004 (advocating, abetting, advising or inciting the commission of any unlawful activity) and also under Section 124 -A and Section 505 (1) (b) of the Indian Penal Code.

Section 124-A relates to sedition (attempting to bring into hatred or contempt or exciting or attempting to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India).

Section 505 (1) (b) relates to statements conducing to public mischief (making statement with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility).

In his speech, Vaiko had allegedly warned that India would not remain one country if the war against the LTTE in Sri Lanka was not stopped.